Missouri nears sports betting launch as nine operators apply for mobile licences ahead of December 1 go-live date
Summary
Nine sportsbooks have submitted applications to the Missouri Gaming Commission as the state prepares for a mobile sports-betting launch on 1 December. DraftKings and Circa have already been granted untethered licences (no casino or team partner needed). The other seven — including FanDuel, BetMGM and bet365 — are under regulatory review, with the MGC expecting to issue temporary licences soon. Mobile apps are expected to account for the bulk of wagering, though many operators also plan retail books at casinos across Missouri.
Key Points
- Nine operators applied by the postmark deadline of 12 September: bet365, BetMGM, Circa, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics, FanDuel and Underdog.
- DraftKings and Circa received untethered licences; the other applicants are seeking market access via local partners and are in review.
- FanDuel applied for a tethered licence through a partnership with MLS club St. Louis CITY SC.
- BetMGM partnered with Century Casinos; bet365 aligned with the St. Louis Cardinals to meet access rules.
- Caesars and ESPN BET will use parent-company ties to Missouri casinos to establish retail sportsbooks in St. Louis and Kansas City.
- Fanatics plans mobile operations and retail books through Boyd Gaming’s Ameristar properties; Underdog applied but had not disclosed a partner at the deadline.
- Operators that didn’t file by the deadline (for now) include Bally Bet (has access via Bally’s KC), Hard Rock and BetRivers — they would need local market access to enter.
- Mobile platforms are projected to drive most of the handle, with aggressive marketing expected from major brands; Circa will target high-stakes customers with a different approach.
Context and relevance
This launch follows last year’s narrowly passed ballot measure legalising sports betting in Missouri. The state is poised to welcome operators that currently handle over 90% of US legal sports-betting volume, so the rollout will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and competitors. For local regulators and operators, the December 1 date is a hard milestone: applications missed or postmarked late may delay market entry beyond launch day.
Why should I read this?
Short answer: if you follow US sports betting or work in igaming, this affects market share, advertising plans and who gets first-mover advantage in Missouri. We’ve skim-read the list and the legal quirks so you don’t have to — bottom line: the big players are lining up, mobile will dominate, and December 1 is the date to watch. Expect heavy promotions and fast rollouts if temporary licences are issued as anticipated.